How to Paint a Room Like a Professional

The difference between a professional-looking paint job and one that looks amateurish almost never comes down to the quality of the paint. It comes down to preparation and process. Professionals spend more time preparing than painting, and the results show. Here is how to achieve professional results on your own walls.

Preparation is 70 Percent of the Job

Fill all holes and cracks with spackling compound, let it dry completely, and sand smooth before you open the paint can. Wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth to remove dust, grease, and grime — paint does not adhere well to dirty surfaces. Move all furniture out of the room or to the center and cover with drop cloths. Remove outlet covers, switch plates, and anything mounted on the walls.

Tape, But Know When Not To

Good painter's tape applied carefully along trim, ceilings, and adjacent surfaces is essential, but tape alone does not guarantee a clean line — you must press the tape edge firmly so paint cannot bleed underneath. Some professional painters prefer to cut in freehand with a steady brush rather than tape, which produces a sharper line when done correctly.

The Right Order of Operations

Always paint in this order: ceiling first, walls second, trim last. This allows you to be somewhat messy with the ceiling and walls without worrying about getting paint on the trim — you will clean that up when you do the trim. Use a roller for large surfaces and a two-inch angled brush for cutting in around edges.